Brush That Body!

That’s right, I said brush your body! Dry Body Brushing is a natural and very effective technique that I learned and started practicing about 10 years ago during my Nutrition and Detox training at Windemere Institute of Healing Arts.

It’s very easy, fast and feels great! The benefits are very worth the little amount of time that it takes!

The benefits go well beyond a beauty treatment and include:

• boosting of the immune system
• increases cell renewal
• helps digestion and kidney function
• stimulates and removes toxins from the Lymphatic System
• increases circulation
• sloths away dead skin and other debris from skin pores
• tightens the skin and creates a healthy radiant glow
• helps smooth out cellulite
• nurtures your body
• stimulates the hormone and oil glands

The skin is your body’s largest elimination organ. It eliminates a quarter of the toxins in your body…about 1 pound per day! If toxins are unable to escape through the skin they will either be stored in fat cells, contributing to cellulite and other fatty deposits, or they will be re-circulated back into the blood stream, overworking the kidneys, liver and other detox organs. The simple and easy therapy of dry body brushing can have a huge overall impact on your whole body health.

It really is a simple task but there is a bit of technique to it. The body should be dry. It is most ideal to do this right before a shower. You will want to wash away the dead skin cells once they are brushed loose. When you first start dry brushing your skin you may notice that your skin feels more sensitive but will adjust to it quickly. It is ideal to use firm but gentle pressure/strokes. You don’t want to make your skin red, just stimulate it. Start at your feet and work your way up the legs toward the heart. Then go to the hands and brush up the arms toward the heart. Brush upward on the glute muscles (buns!) and lower back. Brush down the neck, chest and trunk. Brush your lower stomach upward toward the heart. Brush across your upper shoulders and upper back. Keep all brushing motions in small circles always working toward the heart. This is part of helping increase your circulation.

The brush should pass over every part of your body but the face.

I have also read other info that says to brush in long strait strokes toward the heart. Choose whatever feels more fun to you! Circular upward motions or long straight upward motions. They will give you the same results. We learned to take about 5 minutes to do our entire body.

The other important aspect of dry skin brushing is to make sure you are using the right type of brush. You need to use a natural bristle brush. If you use a brush with synthetic bristles you may damage or scratch the skin or cause some irritation.

The brush I use has a long handle on it. Makes brushing your own back easier. You could also just use a hand held brush.

These brushes can be purchased at a health food store or if you are local to Prairie du Chien, I do carry them on hand at my business at The Healing Arts Center. I carry brushes made by Earth Therapeutics. I promote dry skin brushing to all of my patients for the many benefits! Also because its something I practice and love!
Give it a try. Brush to better health!